Gold Gains on Weak Jobs Data

Yamana Gold led advancing mining stocks

A report showing lower-than-expected U.S. job growth during October bolstered investor optimism that the Federal Reserve would maintain its economic stimulus efforts, pushing gold up in Wednesday trading.

According to Automatic Data Processing (ADP), private payrolls rose by just 130,000 this month — well below the 150,000 expected and the weakest hiring since April. ADP also lowered September numbers from 166,000 to 145,000.

Gold futures for December delivery rose 0.3% to $1,349.30 per ounce on Wednesday, according to CME Group. Gold traded as high as $1,359.60 and as low as $1,338.30. Bullion closed in London at $1,345, according to BullionVault.

Silver futures for December climbed 2.2% to $22.98 per ounce. Wednesday’s high for silver was $23.10, while the low was $22.39.